Every year, UNWLA branches across the United States unite to commemorate the Holodomor, ensuring the world never forgets this genocide of Ukrainians. For generations, Soyuzianky have been working tirelessly to raise public awareness and advocate for its official recognition.
This year, Soyuzianky organized solemn ceremonies, educational events, and community gatherings to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor, the man-made famine that claimed millions of Ukrainian lives in 1932–1933.
New England Regional Council hosted a commemorative dinner and educational session about Holodomor.
Branch 50 partnered with our local Ann Arbor District Library to present the following event: The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America hosted a lecture and film screening in observance of Holodomor Day of Remembrance on November 17, 2024. The event included a moment of reflection, a lecture recognizing and discussing the role that James Mace, a graduate of the University of Michigan and historian, had in bringing international recognition to the forced famine in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, and a screening of the film Mr. Jones (2019). Our lecture is presented by, Dr. Yurii Kaparulin, a fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute at the University of Michigan, an associate professor in the Department of National, International Law and Law Enforcement, and Director of the Raphael Lemkin Center for Genocide Studies at Kherson State University. Mr Jones, our film event, is based on the true story of the British journalist Gareth Jones, who uncovers the truth of the devastating famine (Holodomor) in which millions died in Ukrainian Republic, Soviet Union.
Educating the Ukrainian community about the Holodomor is crucial for preserving historical truth and honoring the memory of those who suffered and perished during this man-made famine. To this end, Branch 65 organized a commemorative event designed to raise awareness, inspire reflection, and foster dialogue about this tragic chapter in Ukrainian history.
The program aimed to educate the community about the causes, consequences, and lasting lessons of the Holodomor while strengthening cultural identity and collective memory. The event featured a moving concert interwoven with spoken presentations and a compelling PowerPoint showcasing historical photos, videos, and mortality statistics. A moment of silence allowed attendees to reflect on the scale of the tragedy and its significance for future generations.
Targeted at the Ukrainian community, especially younger members unfamiliar with the Holodomor, the event also welcomed non-Ukrainians seeking a deeper understanding of this atrocity. Promotion through social media, bulletin boards, and local churches ensured wide outreach and strong attendance.
Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the program’s educational and emotional depth. The concert and presentation particularly resonated with younger participants, sparking meaningful conversations about preserving and sharing Ukrainian history. This event not only honored the Holodomor’s victims but also reinforced the community’s commitment to resilience, remembrance, and truth.
Branch 75 of New Jersey hosted a Holodomor Commemoration at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center in Whippany on November 24. The event honored the victims of Stalin’s genocidal famine while highlighting the ongoing threat of genocide against Ukrainians today.
The program included a prayer by Father Stepan Bilyk, a video showcasing Ukraine’s beauty, and the documentary Black Raven, featuring survivor testimonies. Guest speaker Victor Rud, J.D., discussed the Holodomor’s global security implications and the need for accountability. The event welcomed community members and young CYM participants. Feedback praised it as “well-planned, educational, and moving,” with young attendees inspired to remember and fight for recognition of the Holodomor as genocide.
Branch 91 – Bethlehem – hosted a Lecture, Discussion and Exhibit at Muhlenberg College on November 12th titled The Holodomor – Documents, Archives, and Artwork. Our speaker was Michael Andrec from Ukrainian History and Education Center. It was a standing room only turnout for the lecture and the prayer service afterwards in the Muhlenberg chapel had priests from three of the Ukrainian churches in the area. Plus Michael set up a special all day exhibit titled Depicting Genocide: 20th Century Responses to the Holodomor. We had at least 15 of our members there. People from the community, as well as students from Moravian and Muhlenberg were in attendance.
The event featured a discussion led by Dr. Michael Andrec, archivist at the Ukrainian History and Education Center, recognized for his contributions to preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage. Attendees engaged in a reflective conversation on historical memory and the importance of truth and justice.
During Holodomor Remembrance Month, Branch 107 engaged non-Ukrainian communities in Sacramento, San Francisco Bay, and Monterey Bay Areas to raise awareness. Members partnered with libraries to create impactful exhibits featuring UNWLA materials, books, and poignant displays.
Exhibits highlighted the Holodomor’s history with maps, photos, and symbolic items like jars of famine “food” and remembrance candles. These displays sparked conversations, emotional connections, and plans to extend the initiative to more libraries.
Branch 107’s efforts continue to educate and inspire action on this critical issue.
Holodomor Commemoration in Los Angeles
On November 17, 2024, Los Angeles hosted the annual Holodomor Genocide commemoration, organized by the Southern California Holodomor Genocide Committee, including members from UNWLA Branch #111. The event aimed to raise awareness and honor victims while emphasizing the message, “Never again!”
Activities Included:
- Memorial Gathering: 300 attendees assembled at the Holodomor Memorial.
- Requiem Service: A prayer service honored victims.
- Speeches: Keynote by Prof. Norman Naimark linked the Holodomor to Ukraine’s current war.
- Candlelight Vigil & Silence: Participants reflected on the tragedy.
- Educational Displays: Informational boards shared Holodomor history.
Outreach Efforts:
Promoted through social media, community flyers, and newsletters, the event drew diverse attendees and highlighted November as Holodomor Remembrance Month.
Branch 147 of Austin and San Antonio hosted a Holodomor Commemoration at the Texas State Capitol. The event brought together community members, supporters, and local and state officials to honor the millions of Ukrainians who perished in the 1932-1933 man-made famine.
The program featured a remembrance ceremony, performances by Ukrainian singer Oleksandra Pelitu and pianist Oleksandr Syedin, and poetry by Shevchenko Prize laureate Oksana Lutsyshyna. An educational exhibition in the Capitol Rotunda, showcasing works by Austin-based Ukrainian artists Iana Nikutina and Iryna Lishchynska, further highlighted this often-overlooked tragedy.
Attendees were encouraged to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian community in remembering the victims and advocating against such injustices in the future.
Lisa McDonald, Member-At-Large from Casper, Wyoming held a Holodomor Class through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at her local Casper College. 33 attendees learned about the Holodomor through a PowerPoint presentation that took learners through a lesson with a little bit of Language Arts, some Geography and a lot of History. Lisa also made zhavoronky (bird buns) for each participant, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The presentation also included a video of Holodomor survivor, Natalia Talanchuk, Lisa’s former Vykhovnytsia, and pictures from Lisa’s visits to the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv. One photo in particular, always evokes a deeply emotional response. It is a picture Lisa took of the Statue of the Bitter Memory of Childhood at the Museum entrance. While Lisa and her friends were looking at the statue, two children and their mother came up and placed cookies and an apple at the statue’s feet. The grief was so deep that were all in tears. Last year, Lisa attained from the Governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon, the first ever Proclamation recognizing the Holodomor. Wyoming is not a hotbed of Ukrainianness but Lisa continues to educate Wyomingites about Ukraine and our traditions through Pysanka classes, Bandura performances, and Korovai baking.
